European Investors Favor Crypto Over Traditional Retirement Plans for Long-Term Wealth

American investors still lean towards traditional retirement accounts, with 21% selecting them compared to just 12% opting for cryptocurrencies, according to a recent OKX survey of 1,932 adults aged 18 to 88 who have invested in crypto. The survey, conducted from October 14 to 18 by Pollfish, covered participants in the US, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland.

Real estate emerged as the most popular long-term wealth-building asset, with 34% of all respondents choosing it over digital assets and retirement accounts as the most closely linked to lasting wealth preservation.

Younger Europeans have shown significant concern about the adequacy of their retirement income; a May 2026 study by Friends of Europe’s Debating Europe unit found that approximately 43% of 2,000 Europeans aged 18 to 35 anticipated their pensions would not suffice.

Erald Ghoo, CEO of OKX Europe, noted that when investors under 45 on both sides of the Atlantic view cryptocurrencies as part of their long-term wealth strategies, it signifies crypto’s integration into personal financial planning. He added that as these investors age and accumulate more capital, crypto’s role in financial portfolios is expected to grow in importance.

Nearly half (47%) of European investors intend to increase their cryptocurrency holdings, with 13% planning substantial growth. Across all age ranges, 51% foresee augmenting their crypto allocations. However, baby boomers remain skeptical, with 55% considering crypto unimportant for building generational wealth.

US investors, excluding baby boomers, exhibit greater optimism toward cryptocurrencies; 55% plan to increase their digital asset holdings within five years, and 22% aim for significant expansion.

Conversely, 65% of American baby boomers believe cryptocurrencies hold no importance in generational wealth building, a stronger pessimism compared to 44% of European boomers who share this view.

Americans generally exhibit skepticism about including cryptocurrencies in retirement accounts; an August survey by the National Institute on Retirement Security revealed that 77% of Americans view crypto in workplace retirement plans as risky, including 46% who consider it very risky.

Despite this, the Trump administration has taken steps to broaden access to alternative assets in retirement plans. In May 2025, the US Department of Labor withdrew prior guidance that urged extreme caution regarding cryptocurrency investments in 401(k) plans, moving to a neutral stance.

In August 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order instructing federal agencies to expand access to alternative assets in 401(k) plans, enabling investments in digital assets through specific investment vehicles.

In March 2026, the Department of Labor proposed a draft regulation to expand investment options in 401(k) plans to include cryptocurrencies and other alternative assets.

However, in June 2026, Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Representative Bobby Scott called on the Department of Labor to withdraw the proposed rule, arguing it would expose retirement accounts to highly volatile assets such as digital currencies.

This material highlights a notable shift among younger investors in Europe and the US integrating cryptocurrencies into long-term wealth strategies, reflecting changing attitudes that may influence future financial planning and retirement investment landscapes.

Cryptocurrencies are increasingly seen as viable long-term wealth tools by younger investors worldwide, prompting adjustments in retirement plan policies and highlighting generational divides in investment outlooks.

The growing acceptance of crypto in wealth preservation signals evolving investment behaviors, with significant implications for retirement planning and regulatory approaches across major economies.